OK, I received my Cine City "Jumbo" matte box yesterday. Having ordered it last Friday, that was FAST (coming from India)! My initial thoughts as I picked up the shipping box was "this is a lot heavier than I thought it would be!" Inside was the matte box, 82mm adapter (per my request), french flags, side flags, rod adapter (nice that was included) and other adapters that I didn't need or want.
So, first thing first - is this thing Chrosziel quality? No. But it's really not bad, I have to say. I used it extensively today and it held my filter (black pro mist) securely. The build quality is decent (not great - but what do you want for $200?) and it fits tightly to the lens using the included 82mm adapter ring.
Three annoyances thus far:
1) The adapter ring thread was difficult to screw onto the front of the lens. I gave up after a half-dozen or so attempts for fear of stripping the threads on my lens. I ended up mounting the adapter ring to a UV filter I have for protecting the front of my lens and then screwed that into the lens - problem solved.
2) The rotating filter stage rotates a bit too freely and I haven't discovered a way to solve this in the long term. In the short term, a piece of gaff tape holds it well.
3) Either the paint wasn't completely dry or it's something else but after messing with the matte box, adapter ring and french flags, my finger tips had nice black smudges all over them. A little Fast Orange solved it and I think this will eventually stop happening (I hope).
So, in conclusion, if you don't have the money right now for a Chrosziel or similar matte box - but need the functionality of one (like me), this offering from Cine City is definitely worth the $200 (plus shipping). The build quality is decent, it secures to the front of the lens well (doesn't feel like it's going to fall off) and it holds filters securely. Heck, it also looks damn cool on the HPX300 (don't say you don't care, I know you do!). I'll post a more long range review as I continue to use it. But so far, I'm satisfied. Here are some pictures:
I awake this topic because I order a similar mattebox almost one year ago. The same one but with rod support.
I was in the same situation than Mountainmedia: need one, no budget, and share the same comments about quality, annoyances and satisfaction.
But I want to add a word about support. Recently a loose leg on my tripod send all my stuff right to the floor: camera, MB, monitor, tethered laptop… Everything!
Fortunatly the mattebox absorbed all the shock leaving my stuffs with minor damages. Unfortunatly, the hood was broken and one hinge twisted avoiding the side flag to be attached again.
I send and email to cine-city and they replaced more than just the broken parts for almost no charges.
They are very efficient, give quick support far beyond expectations and really care about their clients.
Thank to them and hope this can help.